‘First Friday’ art show at Visitors Center

An exhibit, including the works of seven artists titled the “Friends and Masters” art show, opens at Swiss Perks Coffee Shop on First Friday, February 3rd. Hours for the opening are 6-9 p.m., and will also feature a wine tasting hosted by The Ridge Winery.

The eight art pieces on exhibit are all from the collection of local artist, Ann Farnsley. “Most of them came to me through trades with artist friends throughout the years.”

Carol Deetch lived in Vevay in the early 1970s and had a studio in a large upstairs room at the Schenck Mansion. She’s now located in Mendocino, California. The show features an abstract “dot painting” and a large collage by Deetch.

One of the late Robert Saueressig’s famous sheep paintings is also on display. This one is unusual in that it features a snowy landscape with a mother sheep and her young. Originally from North Dakota Bob was an active part of the art scene in Madison for many years, and also showed at the Luhrs Fine Arts Gallery here.

A Tom Sanker original is entitled “Violinist”. It depicts a fiddle player in a wintry woods. Known for his glow-in-the-dark paintings, Sanker has had shows at the Community Art Center in Vevay, and also at the Luhrs Fine Arts Gallery.

A collaborative work by Paul Hassfurter and Ann Farnsley is distinctive in that Paul’s geometric shapes meld well with Farnsley’s softer shapes. Paul Hassfuter currently owns and lives in Harlan Hubbard’s homestead on the Ohio River.

The late Gus Catanzaro is represented by nostalgic image of a mother in a long pale blue dress gently holding a baby. The piece on exhibit is a print from an original watercolor painting.

A Steve Bickis original watercolor of a Madison street scene, exhibits his unusual skill and handling of color. Known around town as a master sign painter, Bickis is also a master fine artist.

A monotype print by Rosemary Butterbaugh features birds on the nest in an early spring landscape. Butterbaugh owned “Solar Flair Gallery” on High Street in Rising Sun for several years. She currently lives in Minnesota.

To compliment the show, a large acrylic painting of Switzerland County environs by Joe Leatherbury has recently been hung in the Visitors Center. A native of Switzerland County, Leatherbury has moved to Daytona Beach, Florida but continues create paintings of his new environment, as well as come back to visit friends and family here.

All are welcome to come in for coffee or wine, to view the artwork and enjoy a special social experience.

First Friday also features art shows at the Community Art Center, free carriage rides, shopping and dining out. For further information call (812) 427-3237.